Zeek Looks at Independent Minyanim - Past & Present
The January 2008 issue of Zeek is now available online. This months focus is on “Independent Communities” and how they might, just be changing the face of 21st century Judaism in America. I like Zeek and (as usual) this issue is insightful! Having said that, I wouldn’t call any of this months articles truly objective. I suspect this is in part, because most of the people behind Zeek are in some way connected to the emergent, independent communities movement, at least in theory if not in practice. More importantly I’m not sure it’s possible for any Jew to truly be objective when it comes to any Jewish issue. All of that to say that, IMO this issue in my opinion doesn’t spend enough time exploring the potential pitfalls and/or downsides of the Independent Movement, with the possible exception being Ethan Tucker’s Article “What Independent Minyanim Teach Us About the Next Generation of Jewish Communities“.
Don’t get me wrong, like I said at the beginning of this post, these article’s are indeed insightful, they just don’t IMO, ask all the questions I would have asked. For example I would like to know more in terms of how these communities (down the road) plan to deal with issues related to conversion and intermarriage, as they pertain to community participation and standards? Also many of those who belong to these Independent Communities were themselves trained up by the larger denominational institutions. So how will these fragmented (as in independent and non-centralized) DIY communities provide the next generation with the same learning opportunities? I’m not suggesting that they can’t do it, just that I would like to know more about whether or not they have a plan or are even thinking about one?
I like the Idea of a more empowered lay community but I can’t help but wonder what some of the associated risks are and whether or not these communities will be good for me (as a JBC) down the road. Anyhow. like said these article are insightful and worth checking out!
Links to this months feature articles over at Zeek:
DIY Judaism: A Roundtable on the Independant Minyan Phenomenon Independent Minyanim and Prayer Groups of the 1970s: Historical and Sociological Perspectives
Stacking the Plastic Chairs: Running an Egalitarian Minyan in Jerusalem
Thanks for that tip. I’ll be adding this issue of Zeek to my “light reading”.
Schnazy look.
Huw:
I’m glad that I could be of help! Maybe you can share what you thought with us, once you have had the chance to read them?